Continuing the 2013 Draft Do-Over. To see part 1, click here.
9. New York Jets – D.J. Fluker, OG, Alabama
Original pick: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Fluker steals a job from his fellow Tide teammate, becoming the tough, punishing guard the Jets needed. Milliner is our third flat-out bust of the real 2014 first round. Milliner was benched three times his rookie season, then spent the next two seasons injured. The Jets cut him last offseason and he’s currently out of the NFL.
10. Tennessee Titans – Kyle Long, OG, Oregon
Original pick: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
Warmack was a solid pick and starter for the Titans for the last four seasons. Long is just the superior guard between the two.
11. San Diego Chargers – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Original pick: D.J. Fluker, G, Alabama
The Chargers would rather have Fluker here, but a starting NFL left tackle isn’t a bad consolation prize.
12. Oakland Raiders – Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
Original pick: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston
Ogletree is one of the best linebackers in football and a guy that Mike Singletary said could be the next Ray Lewis. With Wade Phillips as the Rams new defensive coordinator, that could happen this year. The Raiders would have loved to park him right in the middle of their improving defense. Hayden is our fourth first-round bust of this draft and second straight cornerback. He’s been a starter off and on since he was drafted and spent most of this season as the nickle slot corner. He has more penalties (35) than he does interceptions, passes defended, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries combined.
13. New York Jets – Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
Original pick: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
The Jets would still rather have Richardson here, which makes him the third player in the first round of our fake 2013 draft that his original team misses out on. Instead, they take the second best running back in this draft, Eddie Lacy.
14. Carolina Panthers – Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Original pick: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Lotoulelei was a solid first round pick and NFL starter, he just shows up in the draft later. Instead, the Panthers take Austin here and actually implement him properly in their explosive offense.
15. New Orleans Saints – Jamie Collins, LB, Southern Miss
Original pick: Kebby Vaccaro, Safety, Texas
Collins is a star player and one the Browns just recently made very rich with a contract extension after they traded the New England Patriots for him midseason. Collins is our second second-round pick to show up in the top half of the first round of our do-over.
16. Buffalo Bills – Kenny Vaccaro, Safety, Texas
Original pick: E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State
Is it fair to call Manuel a bust? He was a decent starter that led the Bills to a 9-7 record in 2014, only to see his new head coach bench him the very next year. There’s every indication he’ll be back with the Bills next year, but in the do-over, they actually take a player we know is good. Vaccaro finished 2016 on the suspended list after getting busted for Adderall. Even missing five games, he had 67 tackles, a sack, a fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, five passes defended and two picks.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Spencer Ware, RB, LSU
Original pick: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Jones was a solid pick, and like Lotilelei earlier, will show up in the first round of the do-over later. The problem for the Steelers is they need a running back and since Bell was taken at No. 2, they have to jump on Ware here at No. 17.
18. San Francisco 49ers – Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Original pick: Eric Reid, Safety, LSU
Reid was a great pick and a solid NFL safety for the 49ers, so you’ll see him on down the list. Eifert is a legit super star and scoring machine and San Francisco needs to score points.
19. New York Giants – Jordan Reed, TE, Florida
Original pick: Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse
Ironically, the further down the first round we go, the fewer outright busts we come across. Pugh is anything but a bust for the Giants and is probably their best offensive lineman. But in the do-over, Jordan Reed gets selected and paired with Eli Manning, giving the two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback the tight end he so desperately needs.
Click here for Part 3 of the 2013 NFL Draft Do-Over.
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